The 16 Most Amazing Peaks around Heath Charnock

The West Pennine Moors, near Heath Charnock, feature several notable elevated points. Among the most popular are Rivington Pike Tower, known for its historical tower and superb views, and Winter Hill Summit and TV Mast, one of the higher points in the region. Another significant landmark is Darwen Tower (Jubilee Tower), offering panoramic vistas from its summit.

Yes, several areas offer family-friendly options. The climb to Rivington Pike Tower is considered gradual and accessible for various fitness levels. Additionally, Two Lads' Cairn is noted as a family-friendly highlight, providing a favored resting spot with panoramic views. The Rivington area, including the Japanese Garden, also has easily accessible paths suitable for all skill levels.

The peaks around Heath Charnock are rich in history. Rivington Pike Tower, built in 1733, is a Grade 2 listed former hunting lodge. Darwen Tower (Jubilee Tower), erected in 1898, commemorates Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. On Winter Hill Summit and TV Mast, you'll find a memorial to a plane crash from 1958. Noon Hill features a Bronze Age burial cairn, and Two Lads' Cairn is built on what is thought to be an Anglo-Saxon site.

The elevated points around Heath Charnock offer extensive and panoramic views. From Rivington Pike Tower, you can see across the surrounding countryside. Darwen Tower (Jubilee Tower) provides stupendous 360-degree views, potentially reaching the Lake District, Morecambe Bay, Blackpool Tower, the Isle of Man, and North Wales on a clear day. Two Lads' Cairn offers panoramic views of Bolton, Rivington Pike, and the Winter Hill transmitter mast.

Yes, for those seeking a more challenging experience, the area offers longer hikes. A notable route is the White Coppice Stone Bridge – Great Hill Summit Shelter loop, which spans nearly 20 km with a significant elevation gain. You can find more details on various hiking routes, including challenging ones, in the Hiking around Heath Charnock guide.

Beyond hiking, the area around Heath Charnock is popular for cycling. You can explore various routes for mountain biking and gravel biking. For mountain biking, check out the MTB Trails around Heath Charnock guide, which includes routes like the Rivington Pike Tower loop. For gravel biking, the Gravel biking around Heath Charnock guide offers options such as the Rivington Pike – Liverpool Castle Replica Ruins loop.

The West Pennine Moors are enjoyable throughout the year, but spring and autumn often offer pleasant temperatures and beautiful scenery. Summer provides longer daylight hours for extended walks, while winter can be picturesque but requires appropriate gear due to potentially windy and wet conditions, especially on exposed summits like Winter Hill Summit and TV Mast.

Many trails in the West Pennine Moors are dog-friendly, allowing you to enjoy walks with your canine companion. For example, Two Lads' Cairn is specifically noted as a dog-friendly highlight. However, it's always advisable to keep dogs on leads, especially near livestock or in nature conservation areas, and to check local signage.

After a walk, you can find places to refresh yourself. The area around Rivington, particularly near Rivington Pike Tower, has options like the Saxon Barns, with the Higher Barn being a historic spot worth visiting for a meal or drink. There are also cafes and pubs in nearby villages and towns that cater to walkers.

Yes, on Winter Hill Summit and TV Mast, there is a memorial plaque dedicated to the victims of a plane crash that occurred there on February 27, 1958. The Winter Hill Air Disaster Memorial Plaque commemorates the 35 people who lost their lives in the incident.

Noon Hill is notable for its historical significance, featuring a Bronze Age burial cairn on its summit, which contained a cremated burial and wooden posts. It serves as a navigation point and a popular resting spot for ramblers and runners, offering panoramic views of Bolton, Rivington Pike, and the transmitter mast on Winter Hill.